Police disperse demonstrators

Yasaratne GAMAGE and Amila PRABATH WANASINGHE

A group that demonstrated and behaved violently, hurling stones at Thambuttegama Police, was dispersed by using tear gas yesterday.

Around 1,000 demonstrators blocked the Thambuttegama - Kurunegala main road for nearly two hours, demonstrating by carrying a coffin of a women who died in an accident on July 31 in Thambuttegama.

The situation caused a heavy traffic jam yesterday morning in the area. Police were compelled to use tear gas as the crowds turned violent and tried to forcibly enter the police station . The demonstrators then moved to the Thambuttegama town centre and continued their protest. The protest was a result of an incident following the release on bail of a driver who had allegedly run over a female pedestrian .

The particular incident occurred on July 30, when a van ran over a 27 year old married woman while she was walking along the road. The women succumbed the following day. Thambuttegama Police arrested the alleged driver of the van who has been granted bail by the Thambuttegama magistrate. A unit from the riot police has also been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. Senior police officers in the division initiated discussions with those who led the demonstration to bring the situation under control. Police assured the demonstrators that justice will be served after an impartial investigation into the matter, which led the crowd to disperse peacefully.